Thesis: The Muslim faith has many contributing beliefs that make it into the complex, in depth religion that it is today.
Beginning of the Muslim Faith
Islam began with a man named Adam, the first man created by Allah. Allah gifted Adam with knowledge, such as names of properties and realities of all the things and objects which will be present during his time on earth. Allah had kept this knoweldge from his angels, proving their thoughts that Allah would not create a creature superior to them, incorrect.
These are the prophets mentioned in the Qur'an
Sunni Muslims and their beliefs
Sunni Muslims make up about 85% of Muslims all over the world
Believe in Allah
Believe in Muhammed
Believe in the prophets of scriptures
Believe in the last day
Believe in the holy book (also known as the Qur'an)
There's a hereafter and an afterlife; belief in angels
Believe in One God
The five principles (also known as five pillars of Islam):
1. The Shahada (Islamic creed) 2. Daily prayers (Salah) 3. Almsgiving (Zakāt) 4. Fasting during the month of Radam 5. The pilgrimage to Mecca (hajj) at least once in a lifetime.
Muhammed
Before Muhammed introduced monotheism, the people believed in polytheism. This was the praise of many prophets such as Adam, Abraham, and Noah.
Polytheism:The worship of or belief in more than one god.
His Journey
His religious journey began at age 40 when God adorned Muhammed with his first revelation. Muhammed received a visit from the Angel Gabriel who read a verse to him from the Qur’an, which resulted in his proclamation to be a prophet of God.
Muhammed began to preach publicly that “God is one” and that we should all bow down to him.
During a rough start with few followers and strong risk of persecution, Muhammed and his Mecca followers migrated to Medina.From 622CE- 630CE he fought with Meccan tribes, but eventually came out successful with 10,000 followers who helped tranquilly take over Mecca in the Conquest of Mecca.
The trip from Mecca to Medina was named “The Hijra”, which now marks the start of the Islamic calendar
In 632, Muhammed died of illness, but by this time he had converted most of Arabia to Islam and united the Arabian people into a single Muslim religion.
-Muhammed is important to the Muslim faith because they believe in one Allah (God) and he is the one who introduced and taught them a monotheistic religion. He is also significant to the Muslim faith because he preached the words of the Qur’an which Muslims believe to be the exact words of Allah.
The Five Pillars of Islam
- The foundations of support for Islamic belief and practice and define the basic identity of Muslims.
Shahada is the profession of Muslim faith: It is in the Muslim tradition to recite the line: "There is no God but God and Muhammad is the Messenger of God." After this line is said, that person may bear witness to god. The sentence means that Allah is the only God, and the prophet Muhammad is his only Messenger, and by pronouncing this sentence that person proves themselves as a total commitment to the Islams.
Salah is Muslim prayer. The Islam tradition is based on having direct relationships with God. When praying the Muslims are supposed to face Makkah, Islam's holiest city, and pray at dawn, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset and evening, five times a day; every day.
Zakat is the act of alms giving. It is Musilms “social responsibility” to help out God and be a service. 2.5% of everyone’s net worth is taken and given to charity and the needy.
Sawm is the practice of fasting during the holy month of Ramadan; which is the month when the Holy Qur'an was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad. When Ramadan is present, no one should consume any food or drink from dawn until sundown. The Muslims have this holiday to remember the poor and needy and gain a closer relationship with God. Also, The end of Ramadan is celebrated by three days of celebration called Eid Al-Fitr, the feast of the breaking of the fast.
Hajj, the pilgrimage to Mecca is something that all Muslims must partake in if they are economically stable and physically well. The Hajjis a spiritual gathering of over two million Muslims from all over the world to the holy city. In performing the Hajj, a pilgrim follows the order of ritual that the Prophet Muhammad performed during his last pilgrimage. The Hajj is a once in a lifetime event that is the peak in their religious life.
Mecca is the holy city in Saudi Arabia and also the birthplace of Muhammad. Kaaba is located here as well, which is the building that is used as the Muslim direction of prayer. The Kaaba is inside the mosque named Al-Masjid Al-Haram.
Muhammad led the first Hajj from Medina to Mecca over 14 centuries ago. He cleansed the Kaaba, and proclaimed the building as the house of God. Since then, the Hajj has been a pillar of Islam
All Muslims wear white to the Hajj. This is to keep everyone in the same group and not separate based on social class or by looks at all. During hajj, Muslims must perform a series of rituals. A few are; such as walking counter clockwise seven times around the Kaaba. To symbolize their rejection of the devil, also Muslims throw rocks at holy statues.
Both say that there is One God. The Muslims believe in Allah and the Christians believe in Jesus Christ.
Both have a holy book: Islam's book is called the Qu'ran and the Christians call their book, the bible.
God is sovereign, he rules history.
Both believe in the existence of Angels.
Islam and Christianity both have Prophets and prophecy (Including many of the same characters Adam, Noah, Abraham, David, Jesus).
Both believe in a Heaven and Hell and God's future judgment.
Differences:
Disagree over Jesus's identity:
Muslims reject that one God is three persons. The Qu'ran (main holy book of Islam) is strong on saying that Jesus isn't God 'Isa (Jesus) was simply a created human being, and a slave of Allah' An-Nisa' 4:172 In contrast the Bible is adamant that far from being just a created being, that Jesus is God himself become a human being. 'In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God...The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.' John 1:1 and 14
Disagree over Jesus's death:
The Qu'ran says that Jesus didn't die on the cross. Judas died in his place, and God made him to look like Jesus as payback for betrayal and the two were switched at the crucial time. '...in reality he was not killed or crucified, and those who said he was crucified lied.' An-Nisa' 4:157 However, Christians believed that Jesus was the messiah who was crucified, that he did die a shameful painful public humiliating death. '...we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to the Jews and folly to Gentiles.' 1 Corinthians 1:23
Disagree over the way to escape judgement:
- In Islam, in order to gain God's approval and escapes his wrath on the final Day of Judgment is by "falah ", or self-effort.
- Judgment day will involve looking at what people have done wrong and what they have done right.
- Entry into heaven is down to whether or not Allah decides to grant you mercy on the last day.
- According to the Bible, no one is able to please God because from birth we are all pre-disposed to reject God and live our lives our own way.
- The only way to escape judgment and rejection from God if for God himself to have taken the full force of that judgment for people.
- And also to have faith to rely on Jesus and his death as our escape route
Miracles, numerous are recorded (1 Cor. 15:3-5, etc.).
No Miracles recorded, except they claim the Qur'an is a miracle.
Makes numerous prophecies (Isaiah 53; Micah 5:2, etc.).
Makes no prophecies.
Shia Islam
Shia Islam is the minority sect of the Islamic faith. It is the religion practiced by the Hazaras, which adds to the reason the Hazaras are a minority, unlike the Pashtuns which practice Sunni Islam.
The major split between the Sunni Muslims and the Shia Muslims happened shortly after the death of the Prophet Muhammad and the split occured over who should be the next leader of Islam after Muhammad died. The Shi'ites believed that the next leader should a direct descendent of Muhammad and the Sunni people believed it should be the leader of congregational prayer.
The Shi'ites also believe in the 12 Imams. These are the twelve direct descendents of Muhammad and there are many mixed beliefs about the twelfth Imam. He became the leader after his father died, he was around age five at the time, but he became protected from public view and was rarely seen due to the threat of assasination. He was said to have lived around 70 years but there are mixed beliefs on whether he was taken to heaven and will return on judgement day or that he is still on the earth today just materializing in different forms.
The Shi'ites also have a prilgrimage that is specifically on for Shia Islam which is to travel to see all of the twelve Imams shrines.
Iran is the only country in which Shia is the majority population.
Map of Shiites in the Middle East.
Sunni and Shia Relations
Since the death of the Prophet Muhammad there has always been slight tension between the Shia and Sunni Muslims. In the early years after the death of Muahammad Shias tried to become the majority sect but failed. Even after this failure they tried to be politically active but the Sunnis rejected them and finally the sixth Imam of the Shi'ites advised them to become more quietly. There were no major wars between the Shia and Sunni sects beside Ottoman-Saffavid war which was more a political war for power than over religion even though the Saffavid were Shia. Overall there is always a slight tension between the two sects but they manage to live peacefully overall. In recent years the Sunni and Shia have tried to make amends which have been positive for the religion as a whole.
Islam in Afghanistan
Islam was brought into the territory that is now Afghanistan in the first century of Islam. Most of the people of Afghanistan do not even recall a time before they were Muslim. The Islam in Afghanistan has always been dominated by Sunni Muslims. Sources:
Thesis: The Muslim faith has many contributing beliefs that make it into the complex, in depth religion that it is today.
Beginning of the Muslim Faith
Islam began with a man named Adam, the first man created by Allah. Allah gifted Adam with knowledge, such as names of properties and realities of all the things and objects which will be present during his time on earth. Allah had kept this knoweldge from his angels, proving their thoughts that Allah would not create a creature superior to them, incorrect.
These are the prophets mentioned in the Qur'an
Sunni Muslims and their beliefs
- Sunni Muslims make up about 85% of Muslims all over the world
- Believe in Allah
- Believe in Muhammed
- Believe in the prophets of scriptures
- Believe in the last day
- Believe in the holy book (also known as the Qur'an)
- There's a hereafter and an afterlife; belief in angels
- Believe in One God
- The five principles (also known as five pillars of Islam):
1. The Shahada (Islamic creed)2. Daily prayers (Salah)
3. Almsgiving (Zakāt)
4. Fasting during the month of Radam
5. The pilgrimage to Mecca (hajj) at least once in a lifetime.
Muhammed
Before Muhammed introduced monotheism, the people believed in polytheism. This was the praise of many prophets such as Adam, Abraham, and Noah.
Polytheism:The worship of or belief in more than one god.
His Journey-Muhammed is important to the Muslim faith because they believe in one Allah (God) and he is the one who introduced and taught them a monotheistic religion. He is also significant to the Muslim faith because he preached the words of the Qur’an which Muslims believe to be the exact words of Allah.
The Five Pillars of Islam
- The foundations of support for Islamic belief and practice and define the basic identity of Muslims.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jM81wroj_MQ&feature=player_detailpage
Christianity and Islam
Similarities:
- Both say that there is One God. The Muslims believe in Allah and the Christians believe in Jesus Christ.
- Both have a holy book: Islam's book is called the Qu'ran and the Christians call their book, the bible.
- God is sovereign, he rules history.
- Both believe in the existence of Angels.
- Islam and Christianity both have Prophets and prophecy (Including many of the same characters Adam, Noah, Abraham, David, Jesus).
- Both believe in a Heaven and Hell and God's future judgment.
Differences:Disagree over Jesus's identity:
Muslims reject that one God is three persons. The Qu'ran (main holy book of Islam) is strong on saying that Jesus isn't God
'Isa (Jesus) was simply a created human being, and a slave of Allah'
An-Nisa' 4:172
In contrast the Bible is adamant that far from being just a created being, that Jesus is God himself become a human being.
'In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God...The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.'
John 1:1 and 14
Disagree over Jesus's death:
The Qu'ran says that Jesus didn't die on the cross. Judas died in his place, and God made him to look like Jesus as payback for betrayal and the two were switched at the crucial time.
'...in reality he was not killed or crucified, and those who said he was crucified lied.'
An-Nisa' 4:157
However, Christians believed that Jesus was the messiah who was crucified, that he did die a shameful painful public humiliating death.
'...we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to the Jews and folly to Gentiles.'
1 Corinthians 1:23
Disagree over the way to escape judgement:
- In Islam, in order to gain God's approval and escapes his wrath on the final Day of Judgment is by "falah ", or self-effort.
- Judgment day will involve looking at what people have done wrong and what they have done right.
- Entry into heaven is down to whether or not Allah decides to grant you mercy on the last day.
- According to the Bible, no one is able to please God because from birth we are all pre-disposed to reject God and live our lives our own way.
- The only way to escape judgment and rejection from God if for God himself to have taken the full force of that judgment for people.
- And also to have faith to rely on Jesus and his death as our escape route
Difference between the Bible and Qur'an
Bible
Qur'an
Monotheistic, Trinitarian, (Isaiah 43:10; 44:6-8; Matt. 28:19;2 Cor. 13:14).
Monotheistic (5:73; 112:1-4), denies the Trinity (5:73).
Jesus is God in flesh (Col. 2:9).
Jesus is not God (5:17, 75).
Jesus was crucified (1 Pet. 2:24).
Jesus was not Crucified, (4:157).
Jesus rose from the dead (John 2:19-20).
Jesus did not rise from the dead.
Jesus was the Son of God (Mark 1:1).
Jesus was not the Son of God (9:30).
Holy Spirit, 3rd person in the Godhead. He will bear witness of Jesus (John 14:26; 15:26).
The Holy Spirit is the angel Gabriel (2:97; 16:102).
Salvation by grace through faith (Eph. 2:8-9).
Salvation by sincerity and works (3:135; 7:8-9; 21:47; 49:14; 66:8-9).
The Devil is a fallen angel (Isaiah 14:12-15).
The Devil, Satan, is not a fallen angel, but a fallen Jinn (2:34; 7:12; 15:27; 55:15).
Man is fallen, a sinner (Rom. 3:23).
Man is basically good.
Disciples were Christians (Acts 11:26).
Disciples declare themselves Muslims (5:111).
Worship on Sabbath (Exodus 20) then later on Sunday (Rom. 14:5-6; Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 16:1-2).
Worship on Friday (62:9).
Miracles, numerous are recorded (1 Cor. 15:3-5, etc.).
No Miracles recorded, except they claim the Qur'an is a miracle.
Makes numerous prophecies (Isaiah 53; Micah 5:2, etc.).
Makes no prophecies.
Shia Islam
Shia Islam is the minority sect of the Islamic faith. It is the religion practiced by the Hazaras, which adds to the reason the Hazaras are a minority, unlike the Pashtuns which practice Sunni Islam.
The major split between the Sunni Muslims and the Shia Muslims happened shortly after the death of the Prophet Muhammad and the split occured over who should be the next leader of Islam after Muhammad died. The Shi'ites believed that the next leader should a direct descendent of Muhammad and the Sunni people believed it should be the leader of congregational prayer.
The Shi'ites also believe in the 12 Imams. These are the twelve direct descendents of Muhammad and there are many mixed beliefs about the twelfth Imam. He became the leader after his father died, he was around age five at the time, but he became protected from public view and was rarely seen due to the threat of assasination. He was said to have lived around 70 years but there are mixed beliefs on whether he was taken to heaven and will return on judgement day or that he is still on the earth today just materializing in different forms.
The Shi'ites also have a prilgrimage that is specifically on for Shia Islam which is to travel to see all of the twelve Imams shrines.
Iran is the only country in which Shia is the majority population.
Sunni and Shia Relations
Since the death of the Prophet Muhammad there has always been slight tension between the Shia and Sunni Muslims. In the early years after the death of Muahammad Shias tried to become the majority sect but failed. Even after this failure they tried to be politically active but the Sunnis rejected them and finally the sixth Imam of the Shi'ites advised them to become more quietly. There were no major wars between the Shia and Sunni sects beside Ottoman-Saffavid war which was more a political war for power than over religion even though the Saffavid were Shia. Overall there is always a slight tension between the two sects but they manage to live peacefully overall. In recent years the Sunni and Shia have tried to make amends which have been positive for the religion as a whole.Islam in Afghanistan
Islam was brought into the territory that is now Afghanistan in the first century of Islam. Most of the people of Afghanistan do not even recall a time before they were Muslim. The Islam in Afghanistan has always been dominated by Sunni Muslims.Sources:
http://www.christchurchcentralsheffield.co.uk/toughquestions/islam
http://www.religionfacts.com/christianity/charts/christianity_islam.htm
http://carm.org/differences-between-bible-and-quran
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muhammed
http://www.allaboutreligion.org/origin-of-islam.htm
http://www.religionfacts.com/islam/sects/shia.htmhttps://ronna-afghan.harmonieweb.org/Pages/IslaminAfghanistan.aspx
http://acmcu.georgetown.edu/135390.html
http://www.islamforall.net/is%20there%20a%20god.htm
http://www.musalla.org/images/hajj.jpg
http://www.saudiembassy.net/about/country-information/Islam/five_pillars_of_Islam.aspx
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1nRiq_esh4A/UClr9F42NZI/AAAAAAAAAFY/w4hFkHS8_sM/s1600/5-pillars-OF+ISLAM.jpg